Is Jesus God or just a god? PROBLEM: Orthodox Christians believe Jesus is God and often appeal to this passage to prove it. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses translate this verse “and the Word (Christ) was a god” because there is no definite article (“the”) in the Greek of this verse. SOLUTION: In Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
Why does John say no one has seen God when other verses declare we will see God? PROBLEM: On the one hand the Bible claims no one can see God, but on the other hand it says “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8) and His servants “shall see His face” (Revelation 22:4) a... [ Continue Reading ]
Did John the Baptist know Jesus before His baptism or not? PROBLEM: Before His baptism John said categorically, “I did not know Him.” Yet in Matthew 3:13-14 John recognized Jesus before he baptized Him and said, “I have need to be baptized by You.” SOLUTION: John may have known Jesus before His bap... [ Continue Reading ]
Were the apostles called at this time or later? PROBLEM: John records that Jesus called Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, and another disciple at this time. However, the other Gospels record their call as taking place much later (cf. Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11). When were they calle... [ Continue Reading ]